The Tower Wing (centre) of Guy’s Hospital in London is one of the world’s tallest healthcare buildings, despite being overshadowed by its 309m+ tall neighbour, The Shard.
Cities all over the world are grappling with how to use less land, cut congestion and increase public and pedestrian space. One of the ways they can achieve all three is obviously through more vertical, high-density development. That’s something we’re seeing more of not just in commercial and housing projects but also in education and research buildings.
Hospitals and healthcare buildings are following the same path. They’re recognising how the vertical typology can enhance clinical effectiveness and non-clinical support services, and, importantly, patient outcomes and accessibility.
The ‘taller’ trend
In the health sector, the ‘taller’ trend can be traced back to Guy’s Hospital in London, standing in the shadow of The Shard. Its tower was officially the world’s tallest hospital building from its opening in 1974 until 1990, when the O’Quinn Medical Tower in Houston took the title.
Not long after, both were topped by the Hong Kong Sanitorium and Hospital (or the Li Shu Piu Building). Today, health facilities are reaching even greater heights. Hospitals in the US, China and Brazil are now anywhere from 150 metres to 190 metres high.
So what’s behind the shift toward sky-high hospitals? The advantages are a big part of the story.
A smaller footprint + smart use of space
Vertical design allows for more efficient use of limited land. That means hospitals can house a larger number of clinical disciplines, education and research facilities and support services within a smaller footprint.
Less movement for patients equals better care
Vertical hospitals can streamline patient care by grouping related services on the same floors. This reduces the need for patients to move between different buildings or departments.
More time for staff to do their best work
Vertical layouts can enhance staff efficiency by reducing the time spent moving across floors or departments. That can lead to better response times and face-to-face patient care.
Better workflows for people AND robots
Vertical hospitals can be designed to facilitate a more logical workflow. A smart arrangement of services can minimise unnecessary horizontal movement and maximise operational efficiency. This is especially important when incorporating automated logistics-support robots and vertical transport systems.
A room with a view
The outlook from up high – plus more natural light – can contribute to a better place for patients to heal and for staff to work.
Stacked green spaces
Research shows that biophilic features such as rooftop gardens, stacked balconies and other green spaces in hospital towers positively impact wellbeing and recovery rates.
More ways to get around
Vertical design can improve accessibility for patients and staff. Strategically located elevators, ramps, and staircases make it easier to move throughout the facility when needed.
The Health Translation Hub in New South Wales is a world-class facility for integrated health care, medical research and education. In Victoria, the 12-storey, $1.1 billion Frankston Hospital redevelopment represents the largest-ever investment in health infrastructure in Melbourne’s southeast.
There are other significant, far-reaching benefits of hospital towers.
An integrated vertical building and massing solution allows for multi-level connections to wider urban precincts. These precincts could incorporate beneficial developments for translational research and education as well as residential and commercial uses.
Our Health team is maximising the positive impacts of these holistic planning solutions on projects such as the world-class Health Translation Hub within the Prince of Wales Hospital precinct in Sydney as well as current pursuits in Singapore.
This article was first published by Hospital + Healthcare on 3 May 2025. Read the full article here.
